FOUND WHEEL OF FORTUNE CARD circa 1930 (unknown photographer)

This photo was in an e-newsletter that I receive regularly about books. (I highly recommend the site and their newsletter, Brain Pickings). I laughed out loud on seeing this circa 1930 picture, exclaiming "The Wheel of Fortune!" The more I looked the more it seemed appropriate for a rather modern day X in the Tarot. The men are all suited up and are above a city. I can't help but think of bankers in precarious balance. Who knows what change will come next, what rise or fall? It was taken in the 1930's which was the depression era. I wonder if the photographer meant for this picture to be a comment on the depression. Of course we're all at the edge of a "fiscal cliff" right now here in the USA, with Congress and our President stil dithering away. Could this old photo above be a more perfect illustration of that situation?

For comparison here's the Rider/Waite/Smith Wheel of Fortune:

The Wheel of Fortune is also a timely reminder for me personally at this end of life, as I get older and older. Just as I adjust to one element in my life changing, something either morphs again, or a new sort of change comes along. One might think (and this "one" did) that retirement means things slow down. That's an illusion, at least in my experience so far. Changes just keep happening when and how they will. I myself just move a lot slower, both literally and in how I make adjustments. And my balance, both literally and metaphorically, sometimes feels a lot like those men on the found Wheel of Fortune above: rather precarious. I can only hope the various life skills I've accrued along the way, and my joy in and will to keep learning, will stand me (pun intended) in good stead.

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'til next time, keep enjoying The Tarot, in whatever ways it comes to you in your life,

[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under "View my complete profile")**** SEE ALSO: Roswila's Dream & Poetry Realm for Tarot poetry; Roswila's Taiga Tarot for taiga (illustrated tanka); Trying to Hold A Box of Light for digital photos only.

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE REDUX

THE BARBIE TAROT
Wheel of Fortune, X

In keeping with my recent desire to explore decks whose images push me past my personal comfort zone (taste in art, or subject matter, etc.; e.g. see my review of The Manga Tarot), I'm sharing about The Barbie Tarot here today.

Yes, can you believe it? I reveal my preconceptions (or prejudices, by other's lights I suppose) by saying this, but I really could not imagine a Barbie Tarot being all that interesting. Well, bowl me over with that proverbial feather. It's not bad at all. Not great, but it is fun and I can see the reasoning for the choices of dolls to illustrate each of the cards. The Lovers, Strength and The Hanging Girl are especially fun and to the "point."

The Wheel of Fortune, above, however, knocked my socks off. I've addressed The Wheel before here (The Wheel of Fortune post), so won't go into it any further other than to add this meaning that occurred to me during a reading recently:

The archetypal "vicious circle." Going round and round and getting nowhere.

But I basically just wanted to share this unique rendering of The Wheel of Fortune card. As well as share the link to the entire Barbie deck (under the image above).

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Resource: Forgive me if I play a bit more with The Tarot (I've been too blue for too long), here's a link to a deck with images of toys: playtarot card gallery.

Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.

‘til next time, keep being open to the incredible variety of The Tarot universe,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****

THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (X)

TODAY'S CARD is The Wheel of Fortune (X). This version is from The Golden Tarot (U.S. Games 2004):



For comparison, here's The Wheel of Fortune in the Rider/ Waite/ Smith deck:



THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE: Today's post on my dreams and poetry blog (see link at bottom of this post) has a poem of mine which mentions The Wheel of Fortune at the end so thought I'd address it today.

DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (X):

Everything seems to spin out of control, no matter how hard you try. "Can’t win for tryin’."

Are you using your negative experiences to justify negative behaviors in order to avoid the effort required to make true change?

The best you can do at this time of tumultuous change is to center yourself. If you are at the center of the wheel the tumbling and wild swings are more manageable.

"What goes up, must come down." And vice versa. :-D

And lastly, I understand life as a spiral experience. The Wheel of Fortune can be seen as that spiral viewed from above or below. Here's a little poem (aphorism?) I wrote about this idea of life as a spiral that could apply to The Wheel:

passing our pasts
on each turning
of the spiral,
we gather in
and move on

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Resource: Tarot.com's Tarot Library.

Please see the top of the sidebar for my background with the Tarot and a recommendation to beginners.

‘til next time, keep centering yourself and enjoying The Tarot,

Roswila
[aka: Patricia Kelly]
****If you wish to copy or use any of my writing, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”)**** SEE ALSO: Roswila’s Dream & Poetry Realm for some articles about Tarot.****